The tactics phone scammers use to rob you

Don't get caught out by mobile phone criminals and scammers.

My first mobile phone was a huge, clunky thing that did little more than allow me to call or text (if I could get any reception!) Nowadays phones are unrecognizable from the early models, and if your phone can’t access the internet, take pictures or shoot video you are seriously behind the times!

However, this ever advancing mobile technology has a downside as scammers and thieves identify new opportunities to take advantage of.  Whether you are a phone enthusiast with the latest smartphone or are content with a more basic model, you are not immune from these criminals!

Protect yourself from phone theft

Despite the high tech and inventive scams around, plain old fashioned phone theft is still big business. Government figures show that thousands of phones are stolen each month in the UK. Analogue phones (which use radio frequencies to communicate) can simply be ‘re-chipped’ making the phone easy to sell on. Digital phones are more secure but they fetch much higher prices than their analogue cousins, so are still very attractive to thieves.

• ·         Be aware of your surroundings. Only make calls in environments you feel comfortable in.
• ·         Don’t walk and talk –those on the move are distracted and make good targets.
• ·         Register for Immobilise. Log your device for free on this database that allows police to track stolen mobiles. 
• ·         Note your phone’s unique 15 digit reference number, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, for those who like to know what their acronyms stand for!) It may be printed underneath the phone battery, (for iPhone users go to Settings>General>About) or find it by dialling *#06#. Network providers can disable a stolen phone using this number.

Are you on the ‘Sucker’s List’?

Criminals are organised. They keep lists of all those who respond to spam texts and circulate the details amongst themselves. The Office of Fair Trading refers to it as a ‘Sucker’s List’ but before you get insulted at the tag, it’s easier to end up on a list than you think. You don’t have to have fallen for a scam to be included, even replying to a spam text asking to be removed from a mailing list can earmark you. Your response has proved that the number is ‘live’! 

Research conducted by diligent scientists at the University of California, Berkeley and UC, San Diego suggests that spammers get 1 response per 12.5 million messages they send, which seems like a poor rate of return! But according to the OFT 3.2 million adults in the UK lose around £3.5 billion to mass-marketed scams each year, so it is clearly worth it.
• Don’t be tricked into giving out bank details for ‘identification’ purposes.
• Be careful what personal information is available about you on social networking sites
• Don’t respond to junk texts and spam. Don’t give out your phone number online in public forums. 

Beware of sneaky App charges

Smartphones, with their increased technological delights, open up a whole new market of scam opportunities. The App store gives users access to millions of games and novelty amusements, as well as more practical things like money management (such as the fantastic lovemoney App!)  and banking.

However, the industry regulator, Phonepayplus, has launched an investigation into some ‘less transparent’ Apps that sneakily charge the user without their knowledge or consent. In one case, an App automatically sent and received text messages that cost the user a ridiculous £4.50 each! This particular App was quickly shut down, but not before catching out many users.

 A call for password requirements to be strengthened has also been made by Phonepayplus. Users must sign into their account to download even free Apps, and once the password has been entered the account is ‘open’ to purchasing items for up to 15 minutes.

This is a particular problem for those with children, as I have found out to my cost! If they get hold of your phone when that 15 minute window is open, random button pressing can mean you have suddenly purchased any number of expensive Apps which you won’t find out about until your bill appears!  

Watch out for ever changing mobile scams

There are hundreds of scams aimed at mobile phone users doing the rounds, and they are constantly changing. Offering something for nothing is a tried and tested way in which scammers can trick users, so look out for variations on this theme.

Customers may receive texts telling them they have been selected to receive a cash prize, a holiday or a car if they text back or dial a certain number to claim. The aim of scams like these are to gain information about your personal account so that the scammers can access your SIM card and make calls at your expense or to get you to call premium rate numbers which charge a huge fee.

Another common aim of phone scammers is to get access to your personal details. They may call pretending to be from the council and ask for personal details so they can give you a council tax rebate, or they may pretend to be from your bank and ask you to confirm your details to discuss your account. If you give these details out then the scammers will have all the information they need to steal your identity.  

If you are not constantly on your guard you can find yourself giving out all kinds of details unwittingly. If you are at all in doubt as to whether the call is genuine, hang up and ring back yourself to find out for sure. 

More: The top five worst mobile phone scams; Five sneaky mobile phone tricks; UK underequipped to deal with scammers